It is dangerous to be exposed to industrial compounds that contain acetic acid, which is used for example in pesticides, paints, textiles and plastics. However, acetic acid itself does not pose any health hazard when used in food. Here is an article that will help you get to know this organic acid better .
Article summary
Overview of Acetic Acid
What you can do with this organic compound
Acetic acid as vinegar
An acid used as a healing elixir
To have solvents and paints
To have a descaler, cleaner and disinfectant
In photography and film
Overview of Acetic Acid
It is present naturally in humans as well as in plant species. This substance undergoes synthesis in the chemical industry to have different applications. It is the oldest food preservative in history. The Roman people once called it “acetum”. It’s the vinegar. Colorless, acetic acid is part of the carboxylic acid family and its chemical formula is as follows: CH3-CO-OH.
This substance is also very popular in the industry as a simple reagent. In its pure state, it can take the form of ice crystals. It is strongly recommended that you have all the useful information on acetic acid in case you have a plan to resort to purchasing acetic acid and its use.
What you can do with this organic compound
Here are the different uses of this substance which can make your daily life easier:
Acetic acid as vinegar
Most vinegar is made up of this 5-20% acid. For table vinegar, the concentration of acetic acid varies from 4 to 8% and for pickling it can go up to 18%. The vinegar substance is obtained by:
- distillation;
- ethanol fermentation, and acetic acid is mainly used as an ingredient.
In addition to CH3-CO-OH, vinegar also contains a mixture of acids such as citric acid and tartaric acid, but in small quantities.
An acid used as a healing elixir
Did you know that acetic acid is a colorless liquid that has excellent antibacterial powers ? It can in fact be used as an antiseptic against different bacteria, notably those of tuberculosis. In addition to this, this property allows it to optimize the effect of certain medical treatments such as vitamins, aspirin, heroin and morphine.
Scientists, notably chemists , carried out a test to see the antibacterial activity that this substance has on burns. They revealed that the acidic reaction, even at a low concentration, has the power to actively inhibit the growth of pathogens. As a result, it blocks the formation of biofilms while getting rid of preformed biofilms.
Although the substance is listed as an essential medicine, one of the best antiseptics and not very toxic to humans, even in large quantities, the advice of pharmaceutical and medical professionals must still be sought before using it. For example, people with stomach problems are not allowed to take it because of the high acidity level of the substance.
To have solvents and paints
With acetic acid, it is also possible to obtain paint and solvent . For information, this type of acid mainly uses vinyl acetate monomer in its production. However, a chemical reaction composed of oxygen, acetic acid and ethylene carried out over a palladium catalyst can create vinyl acetate. This can then be broken down to yield polymers to make up the main components of paints and adhesives.
To have a descaler, cleaner and disinfectant
In gel form, vinegar is also a household product . Fragrance-free, it is entirely ecological. As its acetic acid is rated at 12%, it then has an ultra-effective property to be able to carry out a purification , degreasing, descaling and cleaning action .
Thanks to its texture, it can be suitable for all types of surfaces. You can then use it to descale and degrease your toilet, your kitchen sink, your bathtub or your shower.
In photography and film
Cellulose acetate replaced nitrate film in the 1950s. This put an end to the various risks of combustion and fire, but also to all the worries relating to transport. Note that cellulose acetates are made from acetic anhydride. The reaction equation results in the dehydration of the acetic acid solution to give ketene. This is then reacted with CH3-CO-OH to give the required anhydride.
